How to REPAIR a Karcher Dirt Blaster

Hi, this video shows you some possible fixes for a faulty Karcher Dirt Blaster.
If your Karcher Dirtblaster has stopped spinning, has weak jets or causes your pressure washer to cut on and off, then you may be able to fix it.
Often dirt or scale can cause problems which is fixed by cleaning. If wear has taken place then it might be repairable by using a washer under the ball bearing, or pulling out the nozzle a tiny bit.
The Dirtblaster in the video couldn't be fixed by cleaning, so it needed a washer under the ball bearing to make it work again.
If one of these methods worked (or didn't work), or if you found another way to fix your Dirt Blaster, then please add it down in the comments to help other viewers.
Many thanks, Vince.

[@malcolmwindust3888]

At last a really useful video on the lance head! No waffle, clear and precise. Thanks very much for sharing and a very big thumbs up 👍 from me!

[@petebaker3723]

Thank you. For the life of me, I cannot understand why a supposedly piece of quality German engineering would depend entirly on a - designed to fail - piece of plastic. No Vorsprung durch Technik here then! Thanks again for your well presented/engineered solution.👌

[@truewordz777]

I should have watched this video first as it would have saved me £15.00. A much appreciated set of instructions, Thank you very much sir, absolutely faultless. 💯👏🏾

[@paulsudworth3000]

Watched the incredibly informative and helpful step by step video and repaired my lance with a 1p washer....saved me buying a new one at £30! Brilliant!!

[@bradjohnson8020]

Very useful video my pressure washer was pulsing. I cleaned it out and it worked saved me 300$. Thank you.

[@exilejock]

Useful video thanks, for those that are scratching their heads wondering what size washer to use it's an M2.5

[@krzysztofgorczynski7191]

Thank you!

[@johntabbron8820]

I dismantled the nozzle and saw that the O-ring had become unseated causing a leak and loss of pressure. That saved me almost £60 ! Many thanks !

[@johnrenshaw9688]

Hi from Spain. Excellent and clear presentation. You have just saved me about Euro 40.00 for a new one. I just need to find a small washer, once again thank you, John.

[@ivk1977]

Brilliant Vince, you’re a star. I was just about to buy a new lance, but the washer fix sorted mine right out. Thanks again.

[@nuffsaid2808]

this happened to me this weekend after it had lain unused for several months, so glad you uploaded this as every little tip helps. Thanks mate.

[@daviddarcy7989]

Fantastic. Have had the nozzle apart but couldn't find any problems - had no idea the rotation was due to the length of the inner device. Thank you.

[@DEmma1972]

LOL at how you did 1 vid completely clueless and this one as an expert. Nice

[@jamestorrico1100]

This has to be the most useful video I've ever seen on KZbin. Thank you!

[@Jademalo]

Thank you so much for this, the washer totally fixed it! We had to use a pair of grippers on the main shaft at the bottom to get enough torque to loosen it, it felt like the shaft would bend otherwise. We tried the nozzle method but had no luck, but once we filed a washer to be able to fit it immediately started working again perfectly. Thank you for this super clear and concise video!

[@rowanjones3476]

Yep, pipe wrench and some vice grips got it off

[@GCCRacing]

Just saved me £45 for a new Lance. Much appreciated. Thanks !

[@darrenburrows-taurus]

Great video instruction - very clear - great job! I don't even have Karchers anymore as so many problems with them, I've moved to Nilfisk but still had to watch it to the end 👍🏻

[@weealb]

First class video. Has mine sorted in 10 minutes. Didn’t have a small enough washer but second way worked. Thanks very much

[@turi-geza]

Now that is what I call a useful video. : ) Thank you. Washer now works again!

[@vexpired7559]

This is a brilliant video, of having a blocked spinning nozzle and how to take it apart to fix the problem. Thanks for the info, now it works !

[@vexpired4944]

Many thanks for this tutorial, l like the way you don't waffle off the subject in hand. A pleasure to listen to you.

[@3dprintedwarhammerarmies889]

Thanks for the idea, tried to repair it myself a few years ago but didn't figured how, I was just going to buy a new one (pretty expensive karcher stuff), but I 3d printed a PLA washer instead :D

[@oscarwilliams7178]

Thanks for the detailed breakdown of the blaster head. I have different symptoms but I can visualise the fault just from this. Thank you

[@DerekLightfoot69]

What a brilliant, clear, understandable and practical guide. Top Man!

[@alangillies6523]

Excellent and informative video, got my lance working again for a £4.80 pack of washers so I can fix it 19 more times if necessary! Grinding the washer to the right size was the longest part of the fix.

[@paulbaber8467]

Brilliant thanks for the solution. Hardest part is finding a tiny washer. I couldn't but found a dome head 6mm nut but it woudnt fit. My solution was to cut a cross section of a RAWL plug. Pushed it in and then put the ball bearing back in. Job done Tks

[@mrgooch66]

Excellent video - struggled to get the head of the lance off but eventually did it. Mine must have been an older design as slightly different inner section but put a small washer behind the ball bearing and works as good as new. Thanks for posting 👍

[@wilberdene]

Just what I needed and great straightforward presentation. Thanks for this, I was pricing up a new one. Cheers!

[@geofftaylor4143]

Really helpful, thanks very much. As you said, difficult to open it up in the first place.

[@Geoffree3]

Excellent instructions ... thank you very much! Fixed by moving the nozzle as 6mm washer wouldn't fit. I only use the washer for about a day each year so shouldn't have worn down ... but then my Karcher washer needed a new pump after the first year.

[@geoffgrove565]

Brilliant!!! Well filmed and explained, thanks so much!

[@jjohnstone5981]

Nice to see how it comes apart. I had to put it in a bucket of very hot water to loosen it a bit - before that I was sure it would break...cleaned out the spin plate and now it's perfect again. Used some silicone lube on thread so it's easier next time.

[@Transcriptor]

Thanks, brave to undo this on your first time! Well done.

[@Aurora..Borealis]

Absolute Legend! Little bastard of a part had me stump. Thanx Mate.

[@thegardener4395]

Excellent video, i will try out what you have suggested, when these are working they are very good, but seem to fail at times. Thanks for uploading this, very helpful

[@aprilballesteros4741]

Thank you so much for this! Fixed my pressure washer using this video yay!!

[@madrandomize5115]

Hey Vince, since now you have the skillset ready, you can try repairing arcade boards. You can start from simple repairs and move on to more complicated ones. The benefit is that you can build an arcade cabinet that your whole family can enjoy and then add arcade PCBs that you can repair.

[@grantlangleyauthor]

VERY helpful - thank you so much! I have 3 old lances which I thought were useless, but I can't wait to fix them now, thanks to you :)

[@77funtomas]

Well.... Do they work by now?

[@grantlangleyauthor]

@@77funtomas They do indeed, thank you 😋

[@johntuck2152]

You just saved me £39. clear, precise presentation. Thanks

[@LogiForce86]

Just saw your video. For years mine wasn't working either and I never bothered to look if I could take it apart. Still need to test it but here as well... blocked nozzle, worn-out ball bearing casing and dirt in the disc. Thanks Mate! :)

[@LogiForce86]

@My Mate VINCE To get back on this at you, Vince, I had to go a different route. My spinning top that the ball goes into was shaped differently and I just couldn't get the right diameter ring to fit inside mine under the ball. I went to all kinds of shops DIY, specialist in all things iron, farmers shop, car tools and parts shops... you name it. So I thought well... what if I can get a piece of plastic or an old bank card or something to cut to size. So since I didn't have a spare card I had to think. EUREKA! I shouted in my head as I glanced over to my box with plectrums. I can use an old plectrum and cut that to size, especially since they are made to be durable. Durable it was as I could barely cut it with good household scissors. The plectrum I used was a yellow Dunlop Tortex 0.73mm one. Was exactly the right thickness for the job and the thing has worked flawlessly since. So plectrums are ideal for this job. Robust and easy to cut as well as the fact that they come in all sorts of thicknesses and only cost a few cents. *NB.* That o-ring goes over the end of the lance bit the tip screws onto by the way. Just so you know. ;)

[@Mymatevince]

Plectrums are a great idea due to the different thicknesses. Also they won't rust, I should have used a brass washer really. Well done for fixing it. Once it wears again maybe a slightly thicker plectrum could be used to get a little bit longer out of the lance before buying another one, thanks for the tip on the washer :-)

[@LogiForce86]

@@Mymatevince No problem. I was looking all over the place for a solution from normal hardware and water tap washers to parts for aquariums or maybe some bamboo. Sometimes you find solutions in the strangest places, and this solutions probably lasts for a long time. The plectrums I use have a plastic compound that is as tough as a tortoiseshell. That said, I am starting to become like my grandfather. Never throw anything away that could be useful. Bicycle inner tubes that might have a leak, but can be very handy if you need some spare rubber. Old leather and all that kind of stuff. Base materials that I just can't easily seem to get my hands on.

[@Geotubest]

This is exactly what my power washer is doing. I'm not sure if I can get the tip of the nozzle off with the tools I have though. We will see. Fantastic video. Thank you so much.

[@ddniUK]

My K2 lance was spraying a very thin line of pressurised water, cleaning just a spiral pattern. Did this fix and all sorted, broader consistent cleaning spray. Many thanks.

[@samuelmellars7855]

Thank you! Saved me having to buy a new nozzle! I've got a different/newer nozzle but the same technique works. I'd already had it repaired once (still in warranty) so it unscrewed ok. My version has a one-way ratchet thing to stop it unscrewing, but the Karcher repair guys had already busted that, thankfully! It didn't work straight off, sluggish spin at first, then it started working properly. I might still fiddle with it

[@klausfranz7644]

Great!!! Thank you, exactly what I was looking for!!

[@user-lw4ru8iw7o]

Really good explaination and demonstration.Thank you.

[@hullster9970]

I have this problem. Upon searching for a replacement nozzle , i found you and glad i did, ill be giving this a go. ('.' ) thanks.

[@adammelville9339]

This is unbelievable helpful and I am very grateful! Thank you :)

[@erickbrodier]

Thanks for this Bud! Saved me a trip to buy a new Lance for now 🙂

[@raybright5805]

I found it very difficult to find a washer that small BUT what I did instead was cut down a small 'O Ring' I had and although the ball is not able to turn it brought the ball out far enough to it can track on the yellow plate and that fix the Blaster. Thanks for your excellent youtube.

[@bazhowell3670]

Fantastic, thanks very much. I had it apart many times but didn't figure it was the ball bearing at fault. Just off to do some cleaning!! Be Happy.

[@marcusburt5132]

Ok Thanks for this video. I watched it many times and have found there is an alternative solution . In my model there was a difference as to A ... where the washer is located and B the fact that my situation there was no passage for water to travel beneath the ball bearing. I tried the washer etc but in the end with my model the solution was to carefully sand down the RIM around the edge of the ball bearing position. When I use the turbo spray I have to tap the wand against something hard after the water is flowing and away I go.

[@richis9070]

I experienced same problem today when I was washing my front garden.. I hopefully get it fixed with your idea.. If works I sub you.. Cheers pal.. Good job

[@MAAZAD]

Best fix it tutorial ever ! 👍🏾

[@jimb2894]

Great fix thanks worked as instructed, very well constructed video.

[@rafacano6371]

My wife gave me a better solution, she suggested putting a tooth washer of a capped snap fastener between the metal ball and the plastic one. It worked very well.

[@captainshivers]

Superb video in all respects. You give YT a good name. Cheers!

[@heliodorocamino1172]

Hola, Solo con las imágenes he aprendido a reparar la boquilla rotativa que es la misma avería que exponía en el video, por lo cual te doy las gracias por el aprendizaje de la reparación, saludos desde Madrid - España.

[@thegardener4395]

Thank you, so helpful. If this helps others try this, if getting the head off is proving difficult, try warming the head with a fan heater for a few minutes, mine came off with little effort by doing this, just waiting to get the right size washer and repair mine.

[@colinmeredith7114]

What about fitting a washer in the opposite end..?? I'm also thinking about fitting a spring and/or washer but the plastic part (with the "O"-ring) that you pulled out will also need protection from further wear...?? Water-proof grease upon reassembly..??

[@nontasanastasios7612]

Is that a K5? and here i am selling nozzles at work... btw that washer might be in inches. Its pretty odd that its not an M2 or M3 washer but in between the two, having a 2.6mm middle hole.

[@johnvanemden7551]

Thanks Vince a really clear and useful video.

[@mdfarhanmdrazali]

Thanks for this vid. Now i know that other part of my pressure washer not faulty.

[@joshuabondpoetry5406]

Excellent. Wish I'd watched this video first before trying to mend it myself, and breaking it. Now I've got to buy a new one - but I'll know for next time.

[@Danrobwi]

Thank you so much for putting this video up! I just don't think the ball seat is really worn. I have worked through the nozzle with a needle and some phosphoric acid and felt some resistance from the inside before the hole. It seems to be just enough calcified to slow water travel that much to inhibit the spinning. Your washer might just give more momentum to help spinning the barrel? What do you think?

[@osszeszereles6051]

Very useful video, i had te same issue, i resolved the problem instead of washer i used my 3D pen to fill up the notches, it worked perfectly

[@alifarhann]

Thanks a lot brother for the help, its just what I needed. 👍

[@davefeehily5991]

Thank you. Used this fix today but as i hadn't got a small washer I used a piece cut off a plastic wall plug, tried a few different depths but it worked pretty good. However when I try to restart machine it takes make trys to get it back working with decent pressure, not sure is this due to the lance or machine. Overall very good tip.

[@vonlorenzo5535]

Very helpful. Thank you... my dust blaster dont spin. I will try this to fix mine. I hope i can find a washer that small. Thank you

[@mrsmithtuiran3798]

Very good explained video, it helped me a lot, thank you very much for taking the time to do this video.

[@udonmora6783]

Excelente y rápida solución. Felicitaciones. Importante indicar fecha de presentación del video.

[@XSEAHAM]

Absolutely perfect info and seriously works properly 'Thank you' I nearly paid for new blaster.... I hope you don't mind me saying that I couldn't find a washer to fit so I sliced a thin washer interpreter from a plastic wall dowel (hence can be cut to any thickness) worked fine. Cheers

[@marcellinoleete9537]

111q1

[@akira5982]

Nice job mate, most peeps was saying my machine was stuffed but i kept telling them it only pulses with certain wands, all sweet now cheers 👍

[@raffaelesala992]

Thanks for the valuable explanation, I was able to fix my spear; I was already thinking about buying a new one. 👍👍👍

[@ionflorescu9620]

From Romania - Thank you! I just wanted to buy a new one!

[@969Jazz]

Excellent, just what I needed to learn

[@heindaddel2531]

Thank you very much Sir Lancelot, exactly what I needed! 👍👍

[@paulb19691]

Brilliant video thanks, going to give it a go.

[@peteraldridge4615]

Well Done - could save a fortune in replacement parts

[@svv3357]

You surely don't mess about like others when showing and explaining the issue! Thanks for the great help!

[@ricardojaviergarcia9347]

Vince, thank you very much for the information. It was useful to me. Hasta la vista.

[@krzysztofgorczynski7191]

Thanks mate! I will try fix mine this weekend.

[@sandrosantos3622]

I had my new, used it once and for this problem. My question is why Karcher doesn't puts that metal ring in the first place. They prefer to sell a new blaster as they tried with me. I would buy a Kranzle when this one fails. Good video, thanks.

[@toma0000]

I was exactly in the same trouble as in this vid. Thank you for saving money for the whole nozzle!

[@emilioaragon7648]

Thank you so much for this video!!

[@vancewhittall2810]

Good stuff !!👌🏼👍🏼…. I’ve got three that have gone ‘rogue ‘ that I’m now going to mess with 🤨

[@energeticvids]

Thank you, Vince. I have hard water. I cleared out the wand tip & the entry filter, but my Karcher unit still has low pressure. Where next can I check for lime build up ?

[@tony1youtube]

awesome video, i cant believe i can find this here

[@KorAllRBare]

I watched the other version "Fault Diagnostic Video" Nice BTW Vince.. So at first I thought with this video it was with some other fault that may have resulted, but to my dismay and relief as well, it was a how to fix the fault you just diagnosed and fixed, Which I think BTW was spot on. NOW... Most peeps are just after advice on how to fix their device and really don't care how and why the fault came about, they just want to know how the damn thing can be fixed. Hence they google for this video, Anyway I dropped a like on both versions.. even though I prefer the pursuit or hunt for gremlins Err-wear N tear and or design flaws that can be diagnosed and then a fix and or even an improvement applied, Eg: a more suitable part and or design addition as per this video, a fix BTW that if the manufacturer was aware of could actually help provide them a reputation of excellent reliability by their products, if only they had placed a more durable surface where it is needed..

[@Mymatevince]

Thanks Koala, that is exactly what this video is for, people searching on Google. If they don't know this channel they wouldn't want to watch a 20 minute video of me trying out different things so I just showed a few possible solutions :-) It will be interesting to see long term if this one gets more views than the 'trying to fix' video :-)

[@hunterbearnz840]

Omg you're a damn rockstar....been going bonkers trying to sort mine out

[@alprado8533]

Gracias por su video, me ahorre buen dinero siguiendo sus instrucciones .Saludos desde la ciudad de México.

[@MrWhatIC]

Very helpful. Thank you

[@bzayed8080]

great info, thanks for sharing that, can you help me find a replacement part for the vario lance . the white piece in the core has a crack which is causing lower pressure even when i twist to max

[@marinaberto4333]

Grazie per questo video, davvero molto utile!

[@stevedoubleu99B]

Worked for me! Thank you.

[@Red_E_Read]

This was great, thanks. Have you done a similar video for the other type of Karcher wand? It has a small yellow grub type piece at the end of it and the Karcher just starts and stops too!

[@cricketseeker]

Would this be a similar fix for a Karcher K5? Different wand/lance. The other setting works but the dirt blaster stopped working. I've probably used it a total of 6-8 hours since I bought it new....Thanks! Great video...

[@MegaRobbo72]

Great video but mine doesn't have an end to put a spanner on and seems to be a sealed unit. It might be an older model (K6). I'm wondering if mine unscrews from the lance end but if I twist too hard I think I'll snap the lance. Any ideas? Cheers.

[@malcolmricketts8673]

Excellent. Need to use a SS washer. Hope the Large Dirt Blaster 35 nossle is similar.

[@canberrabi8]

Excellent, sorted, many thanks

[@jswilko]

Hi, thank you it worked perfectly for me. P.S. the washer is an M2.5

[@mellowguyau]

Thank you John! Exactly what I was looking for in the comments

[@angelobuosi3230]

Great tips with 4:31 I’ve fixed my machine. Thanks 😉